Keeping casualties down

**Tyrfingr** · 03-21-2011, 12:54

1. Spearmen or phalanxes in the front on guard mode to soak up damage
2. "Heavy skirmishers" (quick and nimble swordsmen) to go around the flanks.
3. ?????
4. Profit!

**Lazy O** · 03-21-2011, 19:57

Originally Posted by Jaertecken

1. Spearmen or phalanxes in the front on guard mode to soak up damage

Even levy phalanx can cause horrendous casualties when left to fight it out

**Tyrfingr** · 03-22-2011, 00:34

Originally Posted by Lazy O

Even levy phalanx can cause horrendous casualties when left to fight it out

Absolutely, and the same goes for levy hoplites. Heck, I'm more scared of the hoplites than the phalanxes...

**fomalhaut** · 03-27-2011, 01:21

absolutely, conquering Hellenic towns is quite difficult because of those levied hoplites. I think that's a cool way to reflect the great nationalism and desire for freedom their citizens had, where even their shopkeepers and artisans can stand and fight very well in defense.

**Lazy O** · 03-29-2011, 19:17

Not much they can do with an axe or a 21ft spear in their faces..

**Tyrfingr** · 03-29-2011, 20:39

Originally Posted by Lazy O

Not much they can do with an axe or a 21ft spear in their faces..

True, but it's more likely that they won't be facing the enemy ;)

**Geticus** · 04-08-2011, 18:57

Combined arms skirmishing is one of the best ways to minimize casualties. Use javelin armed skirmishers, Jugundiz, Komatai, Thraikian peltasts, Ambushers, Celtiberian javelineers etc. in loose order in front of your main line to skirmish, and support them with archers from a distance. Be sure to conserve their stamina and avoid running, just walk up and start pelting the enemy and let the skirmishers fight slow and steady in loose order. If you have access to skirmisher cavalry, esp. horse archers then surround the enemy flank and rear with missile showers to confuse them further and distract them. Skilled micromanagement, hotkeying multiple army groups helps towards getting into the 100 to 1 kill range. For the ultimate in combined arms skirmishing, money no object I think the Getai are very formideable with their extensive range of high javelin count skirmishers and spearmen, quality foot archers, and quality horse archers.